Today, we’re splashing paws-first into the topic of H2O! In this post, we’ll discuss how much water your puppy should drink a day, and signs they might not be getting enough. We’ve also got practical and effective tips on how to ensure your fur baby is sufficiently hydrated.
Why it’s important for puppies to stay hydrated
Before diving into the question of how much water should a puppy drink a day, let’s explore why it matters. Hydration is key for keeping your young pooch (and older ones!) happy and healthy. In fact, it affects almost every aspect of their wellbeing. For example, dogs need water to help regulate their body temperature, remove waste and toxins, and lubricate their joints.
About 80% of your puppy’s blood – and 70-80% of their overall body weight – is water.(1) That means H2O is critical for transporting oxygen and nutrients around the body and giving your pet energy. It’s also vital for their digestive system, skin health, heart, coat, tissue function, mood, and cognition. Just like us, if they don’t drink enough water, your pooch could become dehydrated. Dehydration has a number of negative effects on their health, and in severe cases can be life-threatening.
Fortunately, both adult dogs and puppies are usually pretty good at regulating the amount they drink by themselves. All we have to do is provide them with bowls of clean water, and they’ll take care of the rest. But we still need to know how much water to give them and how to tell when they’re not drinking enough.
How much water should my puppy drink a day?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s tricky to give an exact answer to this question. The amount of water your pooch should consume depends on several factors. These include their age, size, health condition, diet, activity level, and the weather. However, as a general guideline, puppies should drink about 50ml of water per 1kg of their body weight. The exception to this is very young pups who are still drinking their mother’s milk. They won’t need as much water because the milk is providing hydration.
Bear in mind that some of the water your mutt needs will come from their food. This is where their diet affects how much water a puppy should drink a day. If your pooch only eats kibble, they’ll be getting less hydration than those who chow down on wet food. You do have the option of adding water to dry dog food, but some animals aren’t keen on soggy biscuits!
Your puppy’s activity levels also affect how much H2O they should be drinking. Energetic dogs will naturally require more water, whereas those who prefer lazing around might need less. Likewise, on days when you take your fur baby for a long walk or runaround on the beach, they should drink more than days when you’re lounging at home.
And then there’s environment. How much water should a puppy drink a day when the weather is hot? It’s difficult to specify an exact figure, but they’ll definitely need more hydration than when temperatures are low. Dogs pant to cool down rather than sweating, which results in a lot of water loss.(2) Therefore, it’s extra important to ensure that they always have a supply of fresh water during heatwaves.
Water intake during toilet training: finding the right balance
If you’re currently toilet training your pup, this may influence your provision of water. However, it’s critical to stress that it shouldn’t affect the quantity of H2O you give your dog – just the timing.
How much water should a puppy drink a day when you’re toilet training them? Exactly the same as normal. You should never restrict your fur baby’s water intake during the daytime or offer them less water overall. This could result in dehydration or behavioural issues. Instead, you can take away their water bowls at night (unless the weather is very hot). This will reduce the chances of your pup needing a midnight wee and waking you up or having an accident.
Don’t forget that our pets like routine, and change can be stressful for them. It’s best to stick to a regular schedule and remove their water bowl at the same time each evening. Two hours before you go to bed is a good choice, then take them out for one last toilet break just before you go to sleep. You should do this even if you have to wake your pup up. If you’re at all unsure about anything to do with toilet training, speak to a vet for personalised advice.
Signs of dehydration in puppies
It’s one thing to know the answer to the question ‘how much water should a puppy drink a day?’. It’s another to know the exact amount your furry friend is actually lapping up! Luckily, it’s very unlikely that you’ll need to measure the precise quantity of H2O they’re consuming. This is especially true if you feed your pooch wet food, as they’ll be getting some water that way. Instead, keep an eye on your pet to make sure they’re not exhibiting any of the following signs of dehydration:
-
Dull and tacky gums (a hydrated dog’s gums will be pink and moist)
-
A dry nose
-
Thick and stringy saliva that clings to their mouth
-
Dull and sunken eyes
-
Lethargy and weakness
-
Excessive panting (especially if it’s not hot and they haven’t been exercising)
-
Breathing issues
You can also test for dehydration by checking the elasticity of your pup’s skin. Gently pull up some of the loose skin around their shoulder blades or at the back of their neck. Let it go, and observe what happens. In a hydrated dog, the skin should instantly spring back into place. If your mutt is dehydrated, it will take longer and might even stay up in a tented position for a while.
Not drinking enough water isn’t the only possible cause of dehydration. It may also arise due to persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, heatstroke, and certain illnesses and parasites. Puppies are more susceptible to dehydration than adult dogs because of their small body mass. It can be extremely serious, so if you spot any of these symptoms, take your pet to the vet immediately.
Why won’t my puppy drink water?
How much water should a puppy drink a day? Roughly 50ml per 1kg of their body weight. Most dogs naturally gulp down the right amount without us having to worry. However, if your pooch is turning up their nose at the water bowl, there are a few possible reasons why.
First, they might not like the smell of the bowl or the taste of the water. This could be a sign their bowl is dirty, or maybe they’re not fond of the material it’s made from. Alternatively, perhaps they’re not feeling as thirsty as normal because the weather is cooler or they’ve been less active. And if you’ve recently switched from kibble to wet food, they may not need to drink as much as before.
Sometimes stress and anxiety can decrease a pup’s interest in water. For example, if there are fireworks or you have a visitor in the house, they might be nervous or distracted. Even putting their water bowl in a different place could disrupt their drinking habits! If this is the case, they should return to normal once the stressor has gone or their routine is reinstated. For older dogs, you could try our organic ashwagandha powder to help alleviate feelings of anxiety or stress.(3)
There’s also a chance that your pet isn’t drinking much water because of an underlying health condition. For instance, dental problems might make it painful to drink, while nausea could mean they don’t want to. If your pooch’s hydration habits change or they aren’t drinking water at all, take them to the vet. They’ll help you pinpoint the reason and advise you on the best course of action.
Tips for keeping your puppy hydrated
That covers the question of how much water should a puppy drink a day. But how can you make sure your pooch gets enough H2O? Here are our top tips for encouraging your dog to stay hydrated:
-
Always have fresh, clean water available for your pet to drink. Placing multiple water bowls in different parts of the house can be helpful.
-
Feed them wet food as well as kibble so they get some moisture in their meals.
-
Scrub their water bowl with soap and water every day, and rinse it thoroughly. This will prevent bacterial growth and ensure the bowl is pleasant to drink from.
-
Limit your puppy’s exposure to high temperatures to help avoid dehydration. Never leave them in the car on hot days, even for a short time. If your dog is playing outside in warm weather, put a bowl of water in the garden. On walks, use a doggie water bottle or collapsible bowl.
-
Take your pet for regular checkups at the vet and make sure they have all their vaccinations and flea/worm treatments. That way, you can catch and treat any illnesses that might cause dehydration early.
-
Never force your pet to drink. If your puppy is a reluctant drinker, try novel water sources like a sprinkler, running tap, or pet fountain. Some pooches also enjoy chewing on ice cubes, especially when it’s hot!
-
Another technique for enticing picky drinkers is to mix a little low-sodium broth into their water. Just make sure it doesn’t contain any ingredients that are toxic to canines, like onion or garlic.
-
Safe and water-rich treats can add moisture to your dog’s diet. The best options include cucumber, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe melon, honeydew melon, kiwi, strawberry, and pineapple.
Is it possible for a puppy to drink too much water?
We’ve focused a lot on making sure your puppy is drinking enough water and how to tell if they’re not. But can they have too much of a good thing? In this case, yes. Drinking an excessive amount of water – a condition called polydipsia – can also be problematic. For example, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Possible medical causes of excessive thirst include diabetes, liver disease, fever, kidney disease, and urinary tract infections. It can also be a side effect of some kinds of medication.
Alternatively, your puppy might be drinking more because the weather is very hot or they’ve been really active. High-sodium treats are also likely to make your pet thirstier. Polydipsia may even be due to stress or boredom.
It’s vital that you never deprive your puppy of water, even if you think they’re drinking too much. This could lead to dehydration, kidney problems, or an electrolyte imbalance. Instead, take them to the vet so you can ascertain the reason they’re so thirsty and get personalised advice on what to do next.
In rare cases, excessive drinking can cause water intoxication/poisoning. Puppies are at greater risk of this than adult dogs because of their smaller size. The condition is more common in animals who have been swimming or even playing with sprinklers or a garden hose. It dilutes their sodium levels to a dangerous point, causing the body’s cells to absorb more water and swell. This can result in brain damage. Symptoms of water intoxication include bloating, dilated pupils, drooling, vomiting, loss of coordination, excessive urination, lethargy, and collapse. Take your pet to the vet immediately if you spot any of these signs.
Final thoughts on puppy hydration
Helping your young pooch to stay hydrated is vital for every aspect of their health and wellbeing. How much water should a puppy drink a day? Aim for about 50ml for every 1kg of their body weight. For most mutts, simply providing sufficient clean, fresh water is enough, as they’re good at self-regulating their intake. However, if your pup seems reluctant to drink, try adding a splash of broth or using novel water sources. Wet food and water-rich snacks are also useful ways of upping the amount of H2O your pet gets. Anything to keep our tiny fluffballs happy!
